The Ghost Maker / He Couldn't Live Without Her

Let us now kick start Fearbruary into ghoulish gear by picking up right where we left off last month with another double feature of g-g-g-ghost stories! And this time we'll be visiting two Gold Key classics, the August 1974 issue of Grimm's Ghost Stories #18, as well as Grimm's Ghost Stories #28 from December 1975. Both tales fall into our lurid month-long look at love and other monstrosities of matrimonial madness 'n mayhem-- though I may sneak something non-Valentiney into the mix occasionally too. So hands up, who thinks the guys in both of these stories each got a raw deal in the end?

One Very Wide Coffin

Okay, hands up who ate too much pecan pie on Thanksgiving the other day, like me? Yeah, it's all about pacing, I guess. Now, might I suggest a "sure-fire" way of losing a few pounds then, via the February - March 1954 issue of Strange Fantasy #10 way? Seriously, it's so easy, even an imbecile can do it...

The Morning Ghost

One more tale from DC's supernatural 70's, this time from the October - November 1970 issue of House of Secrets #88. And like our last story, it's a bit predictable in story and climax, but still spooky and fun none the less, and the spectacular art from Dick Dillin on pencils, and Frank Giacoia on inks makes for a really interesting, visually striking chiller. I also recently stumbled onto a cool Virgil Finley illustration that I had never seen before and thought it kind of fit this story, so I tacked it onto the end-- enjoy! More petrifying pre code horrors coming up next!

Time to Die

HAUNTED HORROR #18 finally landed in stores this week-- two weeks late, but better late than never! And today it's time for another preview of a spooky story contained in that issue, (making its debut here at THOIA as well), and originally presented in the February 1954 issue of Dark Mysteries #16. Anyone wanna take a stab at what the Hell the story host is supposed to be-- and why he has two gun barrels sticking out of his forehead?!!

HAUNTED HORROR #16 / Black Death

Haunted Horror #16 is in stores NOW, and beyond that creepy-crawly insect cover awaits today's even creepier, crawlier insect tale to take a bite out of your senses! Originally presented in the November 1953 issue of Fantastic Fears #4, "Black Death" has been referred to by HH friend, Tom Stein as "one of the greatest pre-code horror stories ever told!" I do believe he's correct! *shivers!

And don't forget about our contest-- see the last post for details!

[The Eerie Publications remake of this story, "The Skin-Rippers", was posted to THOIA back in 2011. Read it here! --  Nequam]

Flaming Horror

As everyone works on adding an extra layer to their midsections and asses today, here's another story about a tubby individual with a whole other set of problems to contend with than just his weight! From the November 1952 issue of Strange Mysteries #8.

Happy Fangsgiving, fiends!

Kill No More!

Here's a weird one from Abe Simon, also from the July 1952 issue of Black Cat Mystery #37. I have to say, the Kremer cover on this issue is one of the single greatest pre-code Harvey works of art ever: gorgeous girl, scary zombies, and a story blurb engraved on a tombstone! It definitely doesn't get much better than this...